The URA Board, going to the state ethics commission, as reported in the news is interesting -- because -- once reports are put to the state ethics commission you can't talk about them. There is a cloak of secrecy involved.

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Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's spokeswoman is out, and her husband, the city's development head, is on paid leave pending an investigation of his relationship with a billboard firm executive.

"Alecia Sirk resigned today," city Chief of Staff Yarone Zober said of the woman who became press secretary last year. Urban Redevelopment Authority head "Pat Ford has requested and been granted a temporary paid leave of absence from his position as executive director of the URA effective immediately to allow a full determination by appropriate agencies regarding the gift allegations reported" in media outlets today.

Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said the URA board will ask the State Ethics Commission to review Mr. Ford's receipt of gifts from Lamar Advertising executive Jim Vlasach. Mr. Ford "asked to be placed on paid leave pending a state ethics review that he also asked for," the mayor said.

Regarding the receipt of gifts, he said, "Obviously, I have concerns about it. As a result of those concerns, the actions of today were taken."

Asked when Mr. Ford's ultimate status will be known, he said, "Ultimately, the State Ethics Board will make that determination ... I would like to have the benefit of the State Ethics Commission's opinion as soon as possible."

He said Ms. Sirk's resignation was "a mutually agreed-upon conclusion" that was not based solely on her receipt of gifts from Mr. Vlasach.